At today’s press conference, Governor Mike DeWine and Dr. Amy Acton, director of the Ohio Department of Health issued an order to extend the Stay At Home Order until May 1. The new order will go into effect at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, April 6. The order also includes a few updates to the previous Stay At Home Order:
- Overcrowding in stores: Retail businesses must establish the number of people that should be in that business at one time. The State is not setting a number because businesses all have different sizes and layouts. The number must be posted outside of each establishment after April 6. These businesses must ensure that people waiting to enter the stores maintain safe social distancing.
- Creation of a dispute resolution panel: A board is being appointed to evaluate and render guidance in situations where two local health departments have come to a different conclusion on what is or is not essential business.
- People traveling into Ohio: People traveling into Ohio should quarantine for 14 days. There are exemptions for those who work over state lines often. This part of the order applies to those who have been out of state for some time.
- Additional Closures: Campgrounds, public swimming pools, day camps, and organized sports.
- Lawn mowing: You may have someone perform this task for you provided that only a single person comes to do so.
- Weddings/Funerals: These are not regulated, but use common sense. Wedding or funeral receptions must follow rules of no more than 10 people gathering together.
- Fishing: Allowed, but keep your distance from others by practicing social distancing.
- Parks: State parks will remain open. If there are too many people and people not practicing social distancing at individual parks, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources can and will close a park.
The full order is available to view here.
Visit Coronavirus.ohio.gov for more information.